Where is Hell? Greco/Roman Myths of the Underworld
In Christianity, Hell is a a place for immoral souls to be forever tortured. It is a metaphysical place, an area with no ‘real’ location. This is not, however, true of all mythological underworlds. The Greek/Roman Underworld is described as an actual place- some accounts even give directions! Mythological heroes often descend into the underworld, striving to pass some sort of test or achieve a goal. Through these narratives, the layout of these provinces is revealed. Hercules’s journey into the Underworld is probably the most popular underworld Greco/Roman myth.
Greek and Roman mythology’s rendering of the afterlife is possibly the most detailed explanation that has survived the centuries. Ruling the Underworld was Hades (Roman: Pluto), along with his wife Persephone (Proserpina). Various
accounts give conflicting placement of the Underworld, from “beyond the vast Ocean” (from Odyssey’s tale) to the “center of the earth”, once modern geography proved the world was not flat. The way to the Underworld was habitually described as gloomy and shrouded in darkness.
The Underworld’s entrance was often depicted as the Grove of Persephone, with black poplars and barren willow trees, symbolic indeed of the underworld’s inhabitants. The gates of the underworld were guarded by one of the fiercest Greek/Roman monsters: Cerberus. Cerberus, who by different accounts had anywhere from three to fifty heads, was
covered in serpents, and dribbled black venom. Scary indeed. Those coming to the gates were free to enter the Underworld; Cerberus was there to ensure no one ever came out. Few could tame him, and only Hercules dared defy him.
Once entering the Underworld, the deceased encountered the five rivers running through Hades: the Acheron, Cocytus,
Lethe, Phlegethon, and the Styx. The Acheron, meaning ‘affliction’, began on the surface of the earth. The Cocytus (or ‘river of lamentation’) flowed from this great water. As did the Phlegegthon, or the river of fire. The Lethe represented forgetfulness, and anyone who drank from it forgot the past.
It was the Styx, however, who held the greatest fascination and importance to Greek mythology. It surrounded the entire Underworld and had nine loops. To cross this river, one had to pay the ferryman Charon. Those without the fare were left to wander for eternity. After being ferried across, souls were taken to the house of Hades. Once there they were judged, and
their fates determined.
The most wicked were sent to Tartarus, the lowest region of Hell, and the best were sent to the Elysian fields. Those who were neither very bad nor very good were generally seen to stay in Hades house(s), in a kind of limbo. Tartarus itself was said to be surrounded by a triple gate and bathed by the light of the Phlegegthon fire-river. It also closed with a diamond gate.
Death, violent and peaceful, is a part of everyday life. By studying these myths, we can see how our past ancestors viewed
this necessary part of existence. Clearly, a lot of thought and energy went into the creation of these tales. These myths
reveal much about past societies. One important belief shines through, demonstrating the similarity in modern beliefs.
They did trust that sinners and depraved souls would be punished for their crimes, even if that punishment must wait until after death. It is this fear of torture, of eternal damnation, of pain and humiliation that gives most that push to be ‘good’
people. Human’s almost inherent belief that murder, thievery, and dishonesty are wrong is evident throughout mythology. These myths confirm these principles, and afterlife is only place society can meticulously persecute those who defy these universal ideals.
